Northgrippian

The Northgrippian is a stage in the geologic timescale, representing a period within the Eemian interglacial epoch of the Pleistocene epoch. It is named after the North Greip Peninsula in Greenland, where its stratigraphic boundaries were initially defined. The Northgrippian stage spans approximately 129,000 to 117,000 years ago, marking a time of significant climatic shifts during the last interglacial period.

This stage follows the preceding Calabrian stage and precedes the Meghalayan stage, both of which are part of the Pleistocene epoch. The Northgrippian is characterized by relatively warm climatic conditions, with global temperatures higher than those of the present day. During this time, sea levels were also elevated, reaching approximately 6–10 meters above current levels due to the melting of polar ice sheets.

The Northgrippian stage is defined by distinct marine isotope stages (MIS), specifically MIS 5e, which corresponds to the warmest interval of the last interglacial. Paleoclimatic records, including ice cores, marine sediments, and terrestrial archives, provide evidence of this period's climatic conditions. The stage is notable for its relatively stable and warm climate, contrasting with the glacial conditions of the surrounding Pleistocene epochs.

The boundaries of the Northgrippian stage were formally established in 2018 by the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) as part of the Anthropocene Working Group’s efforts to refine the Quaternary timescale. This stage serves as a critical reference point for understanding past climate variability and its implications for future climate change research.